Black Bean Lasagna(Garth Brook's Favorite!)

I figured if Garth and Trisha liked it, it must be good. And I was right! Rich without being too rich. I have taken the liberty of adding more veggies and listed them as optional. If you like, you can sub mushrooms or veggie crumbles instead of the beans(or even meat). I tweaked just a little for more flavor. Enjoy!

• Ready In: 1 hr 45 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

•  two 15-ounce cans black beans, rinsed and drained
• 8  ounces  lasagna noodles (I like whole wheat)
•  one 28-ounce can fire-roasted diced tomato
• 8  ounces tomato sauce (1 cup-can use part water)
•  one 12-ounce can tomato paste
• 1⁄2-1  tablespoon dried oregano leaves
• 1  teaspoon dried basil
• 2  teaspoons salt, plus more for pasta
• 1  tablespoon sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1  pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1⁄4 teaspoon garlic powder (or 3-4 fresh garlic cloves, minced- or both)
• 1  small onion, finely chopped
• 1⁄2 red bell pepper, diced (optional)
• 1⁄4-1⁄2 cup celery, diced (optional)

• Tofu Ricotta

• 1⁄4 cup raw cashews, finely ground
• 14  ounces extra firm tofu, drained and pressed (or firm tofu)
• 1⁄4 cup nutritional yeast
• 3  tablespoons olive oil
• 2  tablespoons  finely chopped fresh basil or 1  tablespoon dried basil
•  salt and pepper

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Place the onions, red bell peppers and celery and fresh garlic(if using) in a frying pan and sauté about 3- 5 minutes.
3. In a large saucepan, combine the tomatoes and their juices, tomato sauce, tomato paste, garlic powder, salt, sugar, pepper, oregano, basil, onions and black beans. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, and then reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for about 30 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the lasagna noodles and cook to al dente according to package directions. Drain the noodles well.
5. Spread 1 cup of the prepared sauce in a 9- by 13- by 2-inch baking pan. Make three layers each of noodles, sauce and Tofu Ricotta. End with the sauce and make sure the noodles are completely covered or they will dry out during baking. Bake for 45 minutes, uncovered. Allow the dish to stand for 15 minutes before cutting into squares and serving.
6. Tofu Ricotta:
7. Add the cashews to a food processor and grind them. Then crumble in the tofu, and add the yeast, olive oil and basil. Season with salt and pepper. Store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use. Keeps well for at least a week. Yield: about 2 1/2 cups.
8. Cook's Note: To press tofu, drain any liquid from the block of tofu. Fold paper towels around the tofu and then set a big wrought iron skillet on top of it to press out the excess moisture. Allow to sit for about an hour to press.
9. In a large saucepan, combine the tomatoes and their juices, tomato paste, garlic powder, salt, pepper, oregano, onions and black beans. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, and then reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for about 30 minutes.
10. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the lasagna noodles and cook to al dente according to package directions. Drain the noodles well.
11. Spread 1 cup of the prepared sauce in a 9- by 13- by 2-inch baking pan. Make three layers each of noodles, sauce and Tofu Ricotta. End with the sauce and make sure the noodles are completely covered or they will dry out during baking. Bake for 45 minutes, uncovered. Allow the dish to stand for 15 minutes before cutting into squares and serving.
12. Tofu Ricotta:
13. Add the cashews to a food processor and grind them. Then crumble in the tofu, and add the yeast, olive oil and basil. Season with salt and pepper. Store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use. Keeps well for at least a week. Yield: about 2 1/2 cups.
14. Cook's Note: To press tofu, drain any liquid from the block of tofu. Fold paper towels around the tofu and then set a big wrought iron skillet on top of it to press out the excess moisture. Allow to sit for about an hour to press.